Permanent

This opportunity closed on 10 July 2026. Applications sent now will not be considered. Fresh Capenature posts appear on their employer page as soon as they open — and similar live opportunities are listed below.

Capenature Conservation Manager Off Reserve (Level 10) Vacancy 2026

Capenature

General / Other

Opportunity Overview

CapeNature is seeking a dedicated Conservation Manager to join the Witzenberg Landscape Unit, based in Paarl. This role is crucial for managing the off-reserve conservation component within the unit.

The position is designed for a competent and analytical conservationist with significant expertise. It involves extensive knowledge and experience in landscape-scale biodiversity conservation, compliance, and enforcement, alongside a clear understanding of CapeNature’s legal obligations and environmental protection mandate.

Minimum Requirements

Extensive knowledge and experience in landscape-scale biodiversity conservation and management.
Extensive knowledge and experience in compliance and enforcement.
Clear understanding of CapeNature’s legal obligations, mandate, and environmental protection.

Key Responsibilities

Manage and implement the Central Region’s off-reserve compliance plan.
Provide advice and guidance on compliance and enforcement actions to CapeNature staff in the Witzenberg Landscape Unit.
Investigate terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity crime, including securing and executing search and seizure warrants and collecting evidence.
Compile investigation dockets, including photo albums, statements, and draft charge sheets.
Collaborate with the SAPS to ensure successful investigations.
Present evidence in court and collaborate with the NPA to secure successful prosecutions.
Issue admission of guilt fines (J534s) and voluntary compliance notices.
Review and evaluate facility management plans for wildlife exhibition and rehabilitation facilities.
Provide a specialist extension service to clients regarding regulatory requirements for wild animals and plants.
Process permit applications, comment on applications, compile permit conditions, and issue permits.
Ensure the implementation of CapeNature’s biodiversity legal mandate through compliance and enforcement.
Conduct CITES inspections and endorsements, and utilise the national CIPS-platform for CITES Appendix II permit applications.
Manage and conduct compliance inspections.
Provide specialist comments and support on land use planning, decision-making, and farming practices.
Provide specialist comments on the development of Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) of relevant municipalities.
Offer a professional extension service to landowners on nuisance and damage-causing wildlife management.
Promote and contribute to stakeholder capacity building and environmental education amongst the youth.
Develop relationships with partners and stakeholders to promote sound ecological management.
Lead the implementation of the Western Cape Protected Area Expansion Strategy (WCPAES) for off-reserve areas.
Assist landowners of Private Nature Reserves (PNRs) with compliance.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online by 10 July 2026.

Visit the official application portal: https://capenature.simplify.hr/
Follow the instructions on the portal to complete your application.

This listing in context

What the 338 opportunities we currently hold say about this one.

Live permanent posts: 136
In Western Cape: 10
Closing within 7 days: 4

24% of the 136 live permanent posts we hold ask for Grade 12 / Matric. The commonest requirement is Degree (NQF 7), at 24%.

Live permanent posts stay open for a median of 13 days between posting and closing date.

Calculated by SetaJobs from the 338 listings open on this site right now, and updated as they change. Browse all 32 opportunities in Western Cape.

What you'll need to apply

Municipalities, state-owned companies and public entities each run their own process, mostly on their own application form rather than the Z83 — use a Z83 only where this advert asks for one. Send exactly what it lists.

The employer’s own application form
Your CV
Certified copy of your ID
Certified copies of any qualifications

Full checklist for a public entity or municipality →

What this kind of post involves

A permanent post is ongoing employment with no end date, carrying full benefits and, in the public service, a defined salary level with annual notch progression. These are advertised competitively and the selection process is considerably more formal than for programme placements.

How the selection usually runs

Applications are screened against the stated minimum requirements first, mechanically — not meeting one is fatal regardless of the rest of your application.
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by a panel, and for many posts a competency assessment or practical exercise follows.
Verification of qualifications, criminal record and references happens before an offer, and it is a common point of delay.

What you leave with

Ongoing employment with benefits, and in government a position on a salary scale with a defined progression path.

Where this leads next

Notch progression within your level
Satisfactory annual performance assessment.
The next salary level up
Competing for an advertised post at that level — levels are attached to posts, not to people.
Supervisory or management post
Experience at the level below, plus the qualification the higher post specifies.

A typical route, not a guarantee — progression depends on vacancies, funding and your own performance.

Watch out for this

The screening is mechanical and happens before anyone reads your CV: the advert’s own application instructions are applied as written, and an incomplete or unsigned form is discarded whatever the rest of the application says.